Some of the smallest pieces in your home could make a huge difference when it comes to stress.

There are several parts of the home that we do not think about when it comes to renovation, that could make a big different. Many of these unnoticed yet important aspects are crucial to having that ease & “finished touch” feeling on everything. These functional pieces of hardware include locks, hinges, door knobs, thresholds, handles, towel bars, and the like.

What good is a fancy-looking cabinet that doesn’t shut all the way? Or a door that squeaks, doesn’t latch when it’s closed, or worse, randomly gets stuck closed?

Chances are, your new countertops are not going to feel as new and smooth when the miscellaneous utensil drawer has to be jiggled (or forced with a good amount of elbow grease) back on to the tracks to open. The good news is, you don’t have to have to have a budget for a full remodel when these small repairs can make a space feel like new again!

Here are Three Things you can change to make your home feel like new without a complete overhaul:

Door Knobs & LocksWhile we love the look of antique door knobs, it’s no debate that they can be a little unreliable. Have you ever closed a door behind you only to have the doorknob spin in place without unlatching when trying to get out? It would give anyone a moment of panic, but by replacing the well-worn ones with better latching pins, you can reduce the chance of Aunt Cathy having a mini-heart attack on her next visit to the ladies’ room. Exterior locks that are well-used need to be replaced occasionally due to rust and general usage. Other reasons to change your locks would be a change in roommates, recent home break-in, or if you lost your keys.

Hinges & HandlesWith squeaky & slamming cabinets, it’s no wonder you want to rip them out of your kitchen sometimes! There are a few quick fixes to make you fall in love with your cabinets again. Change the hinges. Old cabinet hinges begin to rust and warp and can often stop closing completely. Replacing hinges is a quick and easy fix to help your cabinets shut better. However, now that they shut better, you may need to apply some stopped or silencers on the inside of the door to keep them from slamming. One way to freshen up older cabinets aesthetically is to replace the handles. There are many styles of handle to choose from a painted ceramic knob, to an antique gold adorned handle. Start noticing other handles and give a pop of life to your cabinets!

Thresholds & Door FramesEspecially noticeable in older homes, shifts in the house or exposure to water can cause the doorways to warp and make the door stick, or not close entirely. It’s an easy fix, as we’ll remeasure the threshold, door, and doorframe and fit a new one perfectly in its place. While it seems like a small problem that you can “live with”, it’s a great way to relieve stress from slightly off aspects of your home. Studies have shown that small misalignments or disorganization in the home can add unnecessary stress.

If you’re in the market to make some smart upgrades to your home, Bright Star is happy to help with bathroom and kitchen renovations and more! However, if you’re only looking to make a few tweaks here and there, reach out to us for an estimate.

While we're still in the grips of Winter, it's important to stay ahead of weather-related home problems and the repairs they may need. Living in a climate with high humidity, warm summers, and cold winters, our homes are subject to wear and tear that could cause serious damages in the future, if left unrepaired.

Here are a few signs that weather might be affecting your home:

Doors & windows no longer open and close with ease.

There are a few reasons that your doors may not stay closed. Some of the easier repairs include replacing the door's hinges, knobs, or sometimes even the door itself. After years of opening & closing, the screws and hinges can be loose and the door can hang too low for the knob to latch properly to the doorframe. If you've recently put in older or vintage door knobs, they are usually smaller than current doorknobs, which can also affect it's ability to latch closed. Drastic weather changes can cause the house's walls and foundation to expand or shift, which causes a much bigger issue than changing a hinge. A foundational shift can also cause many other serious issues.

Cracks show up in the walls and ceiling.

Similar to the doors sticking, walls and ceilings can being to crack with the expansion and contraction of air during the changing weather. These cracks can be unsightly as they run either across or down the walls. Some people use the rule of thumb that "the crack points to the problem", so take notice where they might be showing up in your home! It could just be old drywall but, if you don't plan to repair it, keep an eye on it and seek help if it continues to grow!

Your drywall and wood bubbles up.

Weather can affect the internal parts of your home by wearing on the outside, like roofs, walls, windows, and others. With a roof leak, your attic will take a beating, affecting the insulation, drywall, wood interior, and anything else you might have up there. The water can bubble up in the drywall, ceilings, wallpaper, and light fixtures. It also will warp any sort of wood, whether doors, floors, cabinets, or trim. Water damage is not something to be taken lightly, as it can lead to mold problems and is a potential health hazard.

These are common problems for home owners (especially in older homes), with a wide range of reasons and repairs for them. Bright Star HandyMan Service is happy to schedule a free consultation regarding any of your home repair needs. Contact us here for more information on how we can help you proof your home against these natural causes, or fix them for you!

Bright Star Handyman is the best handyman service in Philadelphia, providing everything from kitchen and bath remodeling to carpentry. This quaint little kitchen got a total update with some paint and new white, subway tile backsplash.